EMQ’s With CORE OF iO
Hi everyone! Welcome to another EMQs interview, this time with UK Technical/ Djent Metal band, Core Of iO. Huge thanks to their Singer/ Rhythm Guitarist, Bob, for taking part.
What is your name, what do you play and can you tell us a little bit about the history of the band?
Howdy doodly. I’m Bob, I sing and play rhythm guitar. We formed in 2012, the plan was (and still is) to write technical and interesting music that would challenge our ability but at the same time making it accessible to all.
How did you come up with your band name?
I was hungover watching documentaries about the universe. I knew Jupiter had moons but I didn’t know their names. At first I wanted to call us iO but of course it was taken. So when I learnt the core of iO was alive and constantly reshaping the surface of the moon I thought, that’s cool. That’s a band name!
What Country / Region are you from and what is the Metal / Rock scene like there?
We are all based in different towns between Brighton and Portsmouth. We have to travel to find a scene. I’m currently residing in Bognor Regis, in 2 and a half years I’ve only seen one fellow metal head in the town. It’s clear the scene is bursting at the seams here.
What is your latest release?
08/09/23. “Part 1: iO”. The final episode from our 4 part set of EP’s. We feel it’s our greatest work.
Who have been your greatest influences?
I have a few world renowned musicians that inspire me; Mike Patten, Freddie Mercury, Dave Mustaine etc. But I think my greatest influence of all time is Black Peaks. They are close friends of ours and to see what they achieved showed me it is actually about escaping the toilet circuit. What small band would not be inspired by that!
What first got you into music?
As a young teenager I used to hang out at big Al’s caravan. There was lots of smoke and lots of championship managers. There was also lots of good music. It’s where I first heard At the Drive In and The Mars Volta. There were lots of musicians there who were older than me played in a band. This is where I first got into proper music.
If you could collaborate with a current band or musician who would it be?
We could probably squeeze in a third guitarist but it’s not about that. I’m not interested in collaborations. We are 4 best friends in this band. No one is replaceable. I only want to play music with Luke, Gareth and Rich.
If you could play any festival in the world, which would you choose and why?
Download Fstival is the dream. I went there for the first time in 2004 as a teenager who didn’t know what he wanted or where he was going in life. I walked into the third stage tent, I don’t even know who was playing and the light bulb illuminated. I remember thinking, this is what I want to do with my life. I want to play on this stage. 19 years later and I’m still working towards it. Doing the easy things in life doesn’t give a high enough reward.
What’s the weirdest gift you have ever received from a fan?
A compliment on my vocals. We have been a band for nearly 12 years and it’s only happened once. I think everyone is too busy watching the next level musicians I’m surrounded by.
If you had one message for your fans, what would it be?
We clearly have no money. Buy more merch.
If you could bring one rock star back from the dead, who would it be?
I would have loved to see what Freddy Mercury would do with more time.
What do you enjoy the most about being a musician? And what do you hate?
I enjoy getting further away from being talentless. Being in a band with next level musicians really puts a fire under my backside to keep my head down and practice. And what do I hate? I’m becoming more and more disillusioned with the music industry. It’s like Hollywood but worse. Looks and trends are more valued than hard work and commitment.
If you could change one thing about the music industry, what would it be?
I would ditch all back room songwriters. “Artists” should release music that comes from their own mind, not someone else’s. This would end the plastic commercial side of things.
Name one of your all-time favourite albums?
“Deloused” by The Mars Volta.
What’s best? Vinyl, Cassettes, CD’s or Downloads?
Downloads, simply because of their ease of access and ability to use on multiple devices
What’s the best gig that you have played to date?
All of them. Some are bigger, some are smaller but as long as there is one person in the room who digs what we do it’s worth the effort.
If you weren’t a musician, what else would you be doing?
I used to be the production manager for Mammothfest. It was a 365 day a year job. I really enjoyed it. I would work as part of festival teams if I wasn’t in this band.
Which five people would you invite to a dinner party?
Leslie Neilson, Peter Kay, Claudia Schiffer (Schwing), Nigel Clough and Dave Grohl.
What’s next for the band?
After “Part 1: iO” I think it will be album time.
What Social Media / Website links do you use to get your music out to people?
https://linktr.ee/coreofio will have everything!
Time for a very British question now. As an alternative to the humble sandwich, is the correct name for a round piece of bread common in the UK either a Bap, a Barm (or Barm Cake), a Batch, a Bun, a Cob, a Muffin, a Roll or a Tea Cake?
What am I, stupid? It’s a cob.
Thank you for your time. Is there anything else that you would like to add?
“Part 1: iO”. Available on all streaming platforms and for digital download on 08/09/23.
Peace! x
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